Newsletter

Meningitis count remains at 3

The number of children likely affected by bacterial meningitis remained at three Friday as health officials continued to monitor an outbreak of the deadly disease connected to campers at the West Chatham YMCA.

Dr. Diane Weems, chief medical officer for the Chatham County Health Department, waited for test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to confirm the diagnosis in the second two cases.

"The clinical signs and symptoms are suggestive of meningococcal infection, but we don't have positive lab cultures that identify the bacteria in blood or spinal fluid," she said.

Health officials announced Wednesday that a child at the camp had fallen ill with the infection.

The three 6- and 7-year-olds believed to be infected are hospitalized but are responding to treatment, said Ginger Heidel, spokeswoman for the Coastal Health District.

In the two unconfirmed cases, the children received antibiotics before blood samples were drawn. The treatment, while lifesaving, can make it hard to identify the bacteria.

"One child was ill Wednesday afternoon," Weems said. "He received antibiotics within five hours of the onset of symptoms, so it's not surprising his cultures did not grow out the bacteria. But that does not rule out the possibility of early infection with this bacteria."

The health department got an unexpected assist from law enforcement in relaying blood samples to Atlanta on Thursday for more sophisticated testing than was available locally.

"The CDC wanted to get the samples today and we missed the FedEx cutoff," Weems said. "Georgia state troopers drove them to the CDC lab."

Initial testing came up negative. It's hoped that further testing can identify small amounts of bacteria if present and determine whether all three children were infected by the same sero group, which would further prove the links to each other, Weems said.

The health department, with cooperation from the YMCA, parents, private physicians and hospitals, has identified and provided treatment to about 300 people.

"We believe we have reached the targeted population with preventive therapy," Weems said. "We will continue to be vigilant in the concern that there's been anyone we missed or other cases in the community."

If you suspect meningitis, seek treatment.

Health officials think they have reached all affected children, counselors and staff for preventative treatment. Anyone whose child attended the West Chatham YMCA summer camp that began July 30 and hasn't been contacted should call the health department at 644-5200.

Other users of the YMCA were not exposed and do not need the antibiotic.